Universal single-payer healthcare -- what is that, exactly?

Given the interest sparked by this post a few weeks ago, I thought some readers might want to know about tomorrow evening's public forum on universal, single-payer healthcare, sponsored by Portland Organizing to Win Economic Rights (POWER). The event is taking place tomorrow (Tuesday), from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Community Television Network facility at 516 Congress St.

According to a press release, panelists are expected to address: "what it means, why we need it (and why we don't have it already!), how it works, how much it costs (and how much it currently costs us NOT to have it!), how it works in other countries (and why nearly all other industrialized countries on the planet have it!), & how we can make it happen here."